Loaded miles
Miles driven while hauling the paying load from pickup to delivery.
Written and reviewed by LaneMath Editorial Team. Updated 2026-06-08. LaneMath pages are maintained as practical carrier education using public references, example-only math, and internal editorial review.
Carrier note
Use this term in context with the rate confirmation, broker communication, facility instructions, and billing paperwork. A short definition is useful, but the written load terms control the actual freight decision.
Carrier example
A dispatcher sees a 720-mile posted rate from Chicago to Atlanta. That 720 represents loaded miles — the paid portion of the trip. The truck also needs deadhead to Chicago and may need empty miles after Atlanta to reach the next reload.
Common mistake
Comparing loads only by loaded miles without accounting for deadhead before pickup and repositioning after delivery — two loads with the same loaded miles can have very different total-mile economics.
Paperwork note
Loaded miles appear on the rate confirmation. Deadhead and repositioning estimates belong in dispatch notes alongside the confirmation so the full trip picture stays in one place.
References and methodology
- Industry terminology and editorial explanation - LaneMath Editorial Desk. Editorial explanations are not official guidance, legal advice, or market data.